When setting a fantasy football DFS lineup, we have to commit to a strategy. I’ve won two national, season-long fantasy tournaments vs. nearly 400,000 people combined. I’ve also won two one-day FanDuel tournaments vs. over 20,000 people combined. In my experience, hedging doesn’t win tournaments. We go all-in on a strategy — either we win big or we lose big. For Week 8, let’s go really big with our NFL DFS picks, starting with Thursday Night Football.
Week 8 NFL DFS Thursday Night Football Picks | Quarterbacks
Heading into tonight’s game between the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers, how might we assemble an optimal lineup? Which players are most likely to thrive based on the most likely game script? Using FanDuel scoring, here are my five favorite NFL DFS picks for Thursday Night Football. Collectively, they fall well within the salary cap. We’ll get to the skill positions in the next section — let’s start with the signal-callers.
Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals ($17,000)
Kyler Murray’s rushing this year is way down — from over 50 yards per game last year to less than 20 per game this year. But he remains elite thanks to a top-three NFL receiving corps, along with a lead running back on pace to catch 66 passes. Few QBs in the past decade have had a lower floor. Murray is a perennial safe bet.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers ($15,000)
If you think this will be an Aaron Jones evening, go Jones. However, I can’t see both thriving against Arizona. Aaron Rodgers is a higher-probability option thanks to a game script that should force the Packers’ longtime franchise quarterback to throw more often than usual.
Ever since his Week 1 flop in New Orleans (133 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions), Rodgers has been lights out, including notching 17 TDs and only 1 interception in Weeks 2-7.
Which skill-position players to target in Week 8 for TNF DFS?
Which skill-position players should we be targeting in this potentially high-scoring affair?
Christian Kirk, WR, Cardinals ($11,000)
The 2018 second-rounder has finally put it all together. Ironically, Christian Kirk’s playing his best football surrounded by an impressive collection of talented teammates. He’s getting it done thanks to a nearly historic 83.3% catch rate (30 of 36 targets), up from a 62.3% catch rate entering this season.
I sold high a couple days ago because his 2021 rate is largely unsustainable. But in DFS, he’s a relatively affordable, high-upside option, and that’s what we need to win.
Chase Edmonds, RB, Cardinals ($9,500)
Whichever team you think will win, it’s generally best to choose more of their players. It’s all about math (gotta love math). So Arizona gets the extra player, and that means choosing between Chase Edmonds and James Conner.
The former is more heavily targeted in the passing game, and the latter has become an end-zone magnet. I’m opting for Edmonds on the assumption his TDs will come eventually; these things sometimes balance out.
Randall Cobb, WR, Packers ($7,000)
Expected to serve as Rodgers’ No. 1 receiver with Davante Adams and Allen Lazard sidelined, Randall Cobb has Kirk’s upside and — let’s face it — Lazard’s floor. In other words, would anyone be surprised if he’s held catchless? Still, for $7,000, he’s a terrific dart throw in an offense craving playmakers.